Water borne amphibious vehicle

ABSTRACT

A water borne amphibious vehicle having a fuselage generally formed to provide a low air resistant surface and aerodynamic stabilizers, and at least one flotation drive wheel of generally spherical shape of sufficient size and buoyancy for supporting the vehicle in water and mounted for rotation beneath the body. A plurality of drive fins are formed around the wheel extending from either side of a vertical circumference of the wheel and are constructed and arranged not to extend above a plane tangent to the surface of said wheel at any point on said vertical circumference. In one embodiment a hollow inflated flotation drive tube forms a closed loop &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;V-belt&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; drive between the vehicle motor and flotation drive wheel.

United States Patent Russell [54] WATER BORNE AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE [72] Inventor: Raymond Sidney Russell, Yosemite Highlands, P.O. Box 409, Groveland, Calif. 95321 22 Filed: Feb. 8, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 113,529

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1 51 Aug. 15, 1972 Primary Examiner-Andrew H. Farrell Atl0rneyTownsend & Townsend 57 v ABSTRACT A water borne amphibious vehicle having a fuselage generally formed to provide a low air resistant surface and aerodynamic stabilizers, and at least one flotation drive wheel of generally spherical shape of sufficient size and buoyancy for supporting the vehicle in water and mounted for rotation beneath the body. A plurality of drive fins are formed around the wheel extending from either side of a vertical circumference of the wheel and are constructed and arranged not to extend above a plane tangent to the surface of said wheel at any point on said vertical circumference. In one embodiment a hollow inflated flotation drive tube forms a closed loop V-belt drive between the vehicle motor and flotation drive wheel.

9 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures P'A'TE'NTEDAUB 1 5 I972 3.683 840 SHEET 1 0F 5 FIG..1

INVENTOR RAYMOND S. RUSSELL ATTORN EYS PIMENTEDAus 15 I972 V SHEET 3 BF 5 INVENTOR. RAYMOND S. RUSSELL ATTORNEYS PATENTEDA G 1 m 3583,; 840

SHEET H BF 5 FIG..8

INVENTOR. RAYMOND $.RUSSELL ATTORNEYS PATENTED 15 3.683, 840

SHEEI 5 0F 5 FIGJI RAYMOND S. RUSSELL ATTORNEYS WATER BORN E AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE This invention relates to a new and improved amphibious vehicle suitable for high speed operation on water, wetland, and marshes, and also capable of low speed movement on dry land.

A variety of amphibious vehicles have been described employing one or more buoyant propelling and supporting pontoons or flotation drive wheels such as those described in US. Pat. Nos. 2,309,875 and 3,166,039. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved amphibious vehicle and flotation drive wheel suitable for high speed operation on water and wetlands and in addition capable of slow movement on dry land.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new transmission means for driving the flotation drive wheels while contributing to the buoyancy of the vehicle.

In order to accomplish these results the present invention generally contemplates a vehicle body having a fuselage generally formed to provide a low air resistant surface and also formed with vertical and horizontal aerodynamic stabilizers for stabilizing the vehicle during high speed operation over water surfaces.

The invention also contemplates at least one flotation drive wheel of generally spherical shape mounted for rotation beneath the vehicle body and formed of a size and with buoyancy sufficient to support the vehicle in water with approximately one-quarter to one-third of the generally spherical drive wheel submerged. According to the invention each flotation drive wheel is formed with a plurality of drive finsaround the wheel extending from either side of a vertical circumference of the wheel. The drive fins are arranged not to extend above a plane tangent to the surface of the wheel at any one embodiment of the invention,'the motor means,

flotation drive wheel, and flotation drive tube are formed with complementary lugs for non-slipping engagement between the flotation drive tube and the motor means and flotation drive wheel.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a plan view and side view respectively of a water borne vehicle according to the present invention.

FIGS. and 3b, 4a and'4b, 5a and 5b, are front views and side views respectively of three different spherical flotation drive wheel and drive fin configuratlons.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are a plan view and front view respectively of a single flotation drive wheel water borne vehicle.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a plan view and side view respectively of another single flotation drive wheel water borne vehicle.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are a plan view and side view respectively of a water borne amphibious vehicle suppoint on the vertical circumference from which the drive fins extend. A feature and advantage of this arrangement is that when the vehicle is operating on land,

the vehicle is generally supported on the vertical circumference of the drive wheels rather than on the drive fins which propel the vehicle in the water.

According to another feature of the invention, ex-

tending downward from the vehicle body and in front A variety of flotation drive wheel and drive fin configurations are contemplated by the invention and in one embodiment the drive fins are mounted at an angle to the vertical circumference of the flotation drive wheel along lines extending from said circumference to points offset from the axle. In one form of this embodiment the drive fins form curved surfaces.

The vehicle can be constructed with one or more of the flotation drive wheels according to the size and applications of the use.

The invention further contemplates a novel transmis sion means for driving the flotation drive wheels in the form of a flotation drive tube. According to this aspect of the invention, the transmission between the vehicle motor or motors and the drive wheel or drive wheels is accomplished by a hollow inflated tube forming a closed loop V-belt drive which frictionally engages the motor and flotation drive wheel under tension. In-

ported and driven by spherical flotation drive wheels in turn driven by flotation drive tubes.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side view in partial crosssection of the flotation drive tube for drive transmission from the motor to a flotation drive wheel.

FIG. 13 is a cross-section of the flotation drive tube.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the water borne vehicle 10 is provided with a low air resistant fuselage or body 11 which includes side horizontal aerodynamic stabilizers 12 and rear horizontal aerodynamic stabilizer 13 with elevator 13A. The horizontal stabilizers 12 can form, for example, negative air foils to maintain the vehicle on the water surface at high velocities and prevent lift. Similarly, the tail section 14 provides a vertical aerodynamic stabilizer. The horizontal stabilizers 12 can be formed with ailerons 15 to facilicate maneuvering at high velocities. They can also function as forward elevators and be adjusted to create more or less negative or positive aerodynamic lift, as required by the operator. A rudder 16 can similarly be provided on tail 14.

Mounted beneath the body 11 are three spherical flotation drive wheels 20 shown in. more detail in FIGS. 3a and 3b. The generally spherical flotation drive wheels 20 are suitably mounted for rotation about axles 21 and are rotated or driven by motors 22a and 22b with suitable transmission couplings to the axles 21. The use of separate motors permits the two forward wheels to be driven at differentspeeds for steering. Altemately, a single motor with differential transmission and gears can be used.

Each spherical flotation drive wheel 20 is provided with a plurality of drive fins 25 arranged around the sphere and extending from a vertical circumference 26 of the spherical wheel 20. In the example of FIG. 3a and 3b each drive fin extends from the vertical circumference along a line offset from the axle 21 so that the fins cut the water upon entry. Furthermore, the fins are shaped and arranged so as not to extend above a plane tangent to the spherical wheel 20 at any point on the vertical circumference 26. By this expedient the fins are protected when the vehicle is moving slowly on dry land.

By way of example each of the three spheres is feet in diameter and designed to rest with approximately one-quarter to one-third of the diameter in the water so that the three spheres will support approximately 1 ton of weight. The spherical wheel can be formed, for example, of styrofoam filled fiberglass, plastic or rubber and can be provided with structural spokes. Altemately, the wheel can be of plastic or rubber inflated with air under pressure. When driven by a 40 or 50 hp motor at approximately 600 r.p.m. the craft will reach speeds of up to 100 m.p.h.-

Other fin configurations for the spherical flotation drive wheel are shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, and 5a and 5b. In FIGS. 40 and 4b, the fins 30 extending from a vertical circumference lie along a curved line extending from the vertical circumference to a point offset from the axle 31 so that the fins form curved surfaces. Furthermore, the fins are in staggered positions on either side of the vertical circumference rather than in alignment as in FIGS. 30 and 3b. In FIGS. 5a and 5b, the fins 33 are truncated and arranged in alignment on either side of an imaginary vertical circumference 34.

As shown in FIG. 2 before each of the spherical flotation drive wheels 20, wave cutters 24 extend from the vehicle body 11 at an angle fore to aft each consisting of an arm or rod which cuts the water in front of the wheel to reduce water resistance and friction at the front of each of the drive wheels.

A water borne vehicle supported and driven by a single spherical flotation drive wheel of the type shown in FIGS. 30 and 3b is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The low air resistant body and fuselage 40 is provided with a horizontal aerodynamic stabilizer 41 and a vertical tail aerodynamic stabilizer 42. The horizontal stabilizer 41 and elevator 41A is an air foil designed to provide lift to raise the tail out of the water when the vehicle is movin g at relatively high velocity across the water.

Projecting from the sides of the body 40 are pontoon arms 43 and 44 upon which the body rests when not in motion. The spherical flotation drive wheel 45 with suitable drive fins 46 as heretofore described is driven and rotated about an axle 47 by means of the motor 48 with suitable transmission coupling to the axle. Negative lift can be incorporated into the body along horizontal stabilizers 50 and 51 so that the vehicle hugs the water at higher speeds.

Another single spherical flotation drive wheel is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in which the vehicle body 52 is provided with rear pontoons 53 and 54 upon which the vehicle rests when not in motion. Horizontal aerodynamic stabilizers 55, 56 and 57 and vertical aerodynamic tail stabilizer 58 are also provided. In this embodiment, an aerodynamic rudder 60 is provided on the tail stabilizer 58 for use when the vehicle is in motion at relatively high speeds across the water while water rudders 61 are appended beneath pontoons 53 and 54 for steering at slow speeds when pontoons 53 and 54 are resting in the water. Ailerons 63 and 64 and elevator and trimtabs 57A are provided to facilitate maneuvering at higher velocities. Aspray deflector 65 is positioned adjacent the rear of the wheel to reduce entrainment of water by the rotating wheel. The deflector 65 has a surface 66 adjacent the wheel which can conform to the contour of the wheel surface and is applicable in each of the embodiments described herein.

In the embodiment of the invention set forth in FIGS. 10 through 13, the two spherical flotation drive wheels 70 at the rear of the craft 79 are driven by flotation drive tubes 71 which function as hollow V-belt drives directly turning the spherical flotation drive wheels around a vertical circumference of the wheels. As shown in more detail in FIGS. 12 and 13, the flotation drive tube 71 is analogous in structure to an elongated tire or rubber, synthetic rubber or similar material which is inflated and maintained under pressure. The inside of the loop formed by the closed drive tube is formed with a row of lugs 72 which engage complementary lugs 73 formed on the outside of the vertical circumference of the flotation drive wheel 70 and drive axle 74 so that there is no slippage between the flotation drive tube 72 and the flotation drive wheel 70 and drive axle 74. Drivev axle 74 is in turn driven by a motor 74 through suitable coupling 76 with the drive axle 74 which can include a differential transmission and gears. Alternately, two separate motors canbe used for driving the drive tubes at different speeds for steering. The

outside of the closed loop formed by the flotation drive tube is provided with a tread 77 which increased the thrust of the vehicle when operating in water and also provides a protective surface when the vehicle is moving slowly on dry land.

The body fuselage 78 of the craft is generally formed to provide low air resistance and includes horizontal aerodynamic stabilizers 80 and 81 fitted with ailerons 82 and 83. The horizontal stabilizers 80 and 81 can be shaped to provide negative lift so that the vehicle adheres to the water surface at high velocities. A rear horizontal stabilizer and elevator and trimtabs similar to that shown in FIG. 8 are also provided. As in the other embodiments vertical aerodynamic stabilizer 84 is provided which can be fitted with rudder 85.

The front flotation drive wheel 86 in this embodiment does not provide a driving function but merely a buoyancy function supporting the vehicle in the water.

In order to reduce friction, a transmission coupling from the vehicle motor can be provided to the axle of the wheel to rotate the wheel at a speed comensurate with the velocity of the vehicle to reduce water friction at the surface of the spherical wheel 86. As in the other embodiments, a wave cutter 87 projects in front of the wheels to further reduce water resistance.

I claim:

l. A water borne amphibious vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body having a fuselage generally formed to provide a low air resistant surface, said body also formed with vertical and horizontal aerodynamic stabilizers;

at least one flotation drive wheel of generally spherical shape mounted for rotation beneath said body, at least one wheel formed of a size and with buoyancy for supporting the vehicle in water with approximately one-quarter to one-third of said generally spherical wheel submerged, said flotation drive wheel formed with a plurality of drive fins around said wheel extending from either side of a vertical circumference of the wheel, said drive fins arranged not to extend above a plane tangent to the surface of said wheel at any point on said vertical circumference;

I means extending downward from the vehicle body in I wherein said horizontal aerodynamic stabilizers are provided with ailerons for increasing or decreasing negative or positive lift as required.

1O 3. A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein are provided water spray deflectors depending from the vehicle body behind the flotation drive wheel for deflecting water entrained by the drive tins of the wheel.

4. A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive fins are mounted at an angle to the vertical circumference of the flotation drive wheel along lines extending from said circumference to points offset from the axle.

5. A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said driven fins form curved surfaces.

6. A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim 1 formed with a plurality of flotation drive wheels mounted beneath the vehicle body.

7. A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim 6 formed with three flotation drive wheels, one at the fore end of the vehicle body and two at the aft end.

8. A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim} wherein the transmission means for driving the flotation drive wheel comprises a flotation drive tube forming a closed loop V-belt drive between the motor means and flotation drive wheel, said flotation drive tube comprising a hollow inflated tube frictionally engaging the motor means and flotation drive wheel under tension.

9 A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim 8 wherein the motor means, flotation drive wheel means, and flotation drive tube are formed with complementary lug means for non-slipping engagement between the flotation drive tube and the motor means and flotation 0 drive wheel. 

1. A water borne amphibious vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a fuselage generally formed to provide a low air resistant surface, said body also formed with vertical and horizontal aerodynamic stabilizers; at least one flotation drive wheel of generally spherical shape mounted for rotation beneath said body, at least one wheel formed of a size and with buoyancy for supporting the vehicle in water with approximately one-quarter to one-third of said generally spherical wheel submerged, said flotation drive wheel formed with a plurality of drive fins around said wheel extending from either side of a vertical circumference of the wheel, said drive fins arranged not to extend above a plane tangent to the surface of said wheel at any point on said vertical circumference; means extending downward from the vehicle body in front of said flotation drive wheel for cutting the water in front of said flotation drive wheel when the vehicle is water borne; and motor means and transmission means for driving the flotation drive wheel around its axis.
 2. A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said horizontal aerodynamic stabilizers are provided with ailerons for increasing or decreasing negative or positive lift as required.
 3. A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein are provided water spray deflectors depending from the vehicle body behind the flotation drive wheel for deflecting water entrained by the drive fins of the wheel.
 4. A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive fins are mounted at an angle to the vertical circumference of the flotation drive wheel along lines extending from said circumference to points offset from the axle.
 5. A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said driven fins form curved surfaces.
 6. A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim 1 formed with a plurality of flotation drive wheels mounted beneath the vehicle body.
 7. A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim 6 formed with three flotation drive wheels, one at the fore end of the vehicle body and two at the aft end.
 8. A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transmission means for driving the flotation drive wheel comprises a flotation drive tube forming a closed loop ''''V-belt'''' drive between the motor means and flotation drive wheel, said flotation drive tube comprising a hollow inflated tube frictionally engaging the motor means and flotation drive wheel under tension.
 9. A water borne vehicle as set forth in claim 8 wherein the motor means, flotation drive wheel means, and flotation drive tube are formed with complementary lug means for non-slipping engagement between the flotation drive tube and the motor means and flotation drive wheel. 